/LAST WOMAN STANDING/
Andrew Flynn unintentionally bumped into none other than Sharon Raydor leaving Chief Johnson's empty office, her surprised gasp at the collision rapidly turning into an even stranger noise when in erratic flail for balance, her arms shot out and grabbed his arm with an iron grip that made certain they stood even closer in their perturbed state. Fortunately they both remained standing.
Andy reached out without thinking and steadied her with a hand on her hip, his eyes on her face that for a blessed second was unguarded and simply caught in an unaware moment. It did not last long and when her eyes glazed over in annoyance Andy quickly let go of her, certain she would be steady on her own two feet.
Andy would have forced himself to be somewhat civil but it was impossible once Sharon took a quick step away from him, her upper lip twisting into distaste. That did it for his resolve to not let her presence bother him.
He was intensely bothered.
"You should watch where you are going," Andy grumbled at her, his voice sounding sour. He was well-aware that the moment he opened his mouth he would end up being targeted by a laser-glare and a comeback that would no doubt ensure they could partake in a discourse that would last a good ten or fifteen minutes. It was what had happened the last ten times he had unintentionally bumped into her, as if some unknown force was drawing them together in a spin of loathing, escape impossible.
Sure enough, Sharon's gaze deepened into a blaze, surprise rapidly turning to thin barely existing tolerance.
"Maybe you should watch your own steps," Sharon retorted as she crossed her arms defensively across her chest, the motion only bringing a more pronounced cleavage to the neckline on her blazer. Andy pretended not to notice it nor the alluring way the small penchant nestled against her skin or how she always looked so goddamn edible in a pantsuit. It was hard to not notice the way his cock twitched in anticipation however, and it had been happening too many times recently that he was beginning to think it was an unhealthy reaction. It did not change the fact that some part of him found it arousing to be drawn into yet another fight with Sharon.
Andy noticed the small red spots of anger that appeared on Sharon's cheeks, blossoming into a sheen he was familiar with from the bedroom. He would wager his pension that she was likewise caught unaware in the strange emotion of finding all these meetings arousing. Not that they would act on it – that was too absurd – but he did entertain the thought of fucking her in her office after a fight or two, thinking that the energy of anger would be something in itself.
Andy lifted an eyebrow and then retorted, his voice dry, "Yeah, yeah, we both bumped into each other, alright. Let's not make a big deal out of it."
Sharon arched an eyebrow back at him, moving an inch closer as she emphasized her crossed arms across her chest and stood even taller.
Her head tilted a fraction to the side in sarcasm when she replied, "Maybe if you will desist from loitering outside doorways, standing in a blind angle doing whatever it is you seem to be doing, why, lieutenant Flynn, then surely there would be no further bumping in the future. Hmm, did you think about that?"
Andy shrugged, "Funny, I was just about to tell you that maybe you should refrain from loitering in offices you have no business loitering in, huh. I think that will do the trick."
"Well, unlike you, my presence in Chief Johnson's office had a definite purpose. I hesitate to guess why skulking around her doorway seems necessary on your part."
Andy crossed his arms, "Oh just get off your high horse, would you?"
Her lips pursed and her voice was likewise wry, "You mean opposed to the high horse you've been on for the majority of our acquaintance?" The corner of her mouth curled and Andy shook his head, knowing she was pleased with herself.
"Acquaintance," Andy repeated in a slow and low voice, "And you wonder why people think you are cold-hearted, huh," he shook his head at her before he continued, "Are you afraid someone will know we've been friends for the majority of our careers? That I know everything about you, down to how you sound when you come?"
She looked annoyed now.
Andy continued, his voice low so it would not carry to anyone but Sharon, "Are you afraid people will find out we've been fucking for quite some time now? That they will know someone melted your heart for a second? That would surely be a low-blow to your reputation."
Sharon smiled in a cold sort of way, "I barely remember you being friendly towards anyone let alone me," she angled her head and that smile contorted into a grim sneer, "and my reputation and frozen heart are doing just fine, no thanks to you."
"Yeah, they sure are," Andy agreed with condescending look, deliberately looking at her from top to toe in a slow motion and with a crooked smirk, "Last I heard you were in cahoots with traffic."
"Oh you know me, lieutenant, I do so love the traffic division."
"It's a win-win then," Andy bit out, "They like being dominated and you like feeling superior."
Her eyes gleamed, "You really should apply for a transfer. I think you would fit in nicely, hmm."
Andy scowled, "Right."
Sharon pursed her lips in glee and he had to concede she had sort of won that round.
Not knowing what else to say to keep their conversation going, and seeing he would rather exchange angry words with her than see her leave, Andy fell back on a gruff, "So, what are you doing here, really? You've got some rat business to take care of, or?"
Sharon rolled her eyes and somehow her expression conveyed amusement, "Why, have you or someone in your squad shot someone recently?"
Andy furrowed his brow and then uttered an annoyed, "No."
"Have you mishandled evidence or in any way obstructed the justice system?" she continued to smile.
"No," he grumbled annoyed by her arrogant smile and he crossed his arms even more tightly.
"You've abstained from instigating brawls with other divisions?" her smile was belligerent.
"Ha-ha," he ground out, knowing exactly how she viewed him.
"And you've played nice with the civilians?" she continued, another smile that was nothing but condescending and if it had been any other detective in the building he would have left a long time ago.
"Of course, I always play nice," he grumbled even if he knew where she was going with all the idiotic questions.
"Then really, why would I be here on rat business?" Her eyebrows went high and she smiled, feigning sincerity for a short second.
"Who knows," Andy shot back, his own scornful smile to match hers, "You seem to be wandering around everywhere I look as of late, your intentions murky. So really, how am I supposed to know what your business is?"
"Then you will be pleased to know I am here officially, and not with questionable intentions."
"Oh really," Andy shook his head in annoyance, "because as far as I know F.I.D has no official reason to be here, so what – have you transferred to a new squad or something?"
She rolled her eyes but continued to stand in place, her eyes on him with a hard look. Andy did not miss the little twitch to her lips that resembled some level of morbid satisfaction. He would not agree with her out loud but silently he could only nod to the notion that if they could not be friends or anything that resembled friends, then this whole back and forth of spite and passive-aggressive dialogues, well that was just as good and satisfying.
Provenza coughed from somewhere in the squad room, the sound loud and reminding Andy that they were not alone in the room.
Sharon pursed her lips and then she nodded in the direction of the hallway, the almost imperceptible tilt with her head almost neutral.
Andy only agreed with her assessment and he had to remind himself not to place his hand on the small of her back as she stalked in the direction of the hallway, her steps sure and fluid. He followed just behind her, a mind-your-own-business-glare at Provenza who seemed entertained by the scene, Tao only quirking an eyebrow in confusion as to why Andy would bother the Captain.
Sharon completely ignored both Tao and Provenza in the room, her head held high and her eyes sweeping across the room as if no one was there; it was an art form she had perfected over the years.
Andy was right on her heels, forcing the door into the squad room closed with more sound than usual; he couldn't stop himself from watching her behind, thoughts once again on a scenario that had him even more coiled with tension.
"I think you are intentionally trying my patience," Andy gritted out in an accusing tone once they had ascertained the hallway was devoid of people.
Sharon spun around, a pronounced frown zeroed in on him. It was a look that exuded zeal and disdain, "That's the whole purpose to my life, true," Her tone was overtly sarcastic and it was almost pacifying to him.
She drawled, "Trying your patience, yes, I do believe that is my goal."
Andy only glowered back at her.
Sharon took a step towards him, once again regarding him as if he was an idiot, "Andy," Sharon inflected with scorn, "your patience is well-renowned for being abysmal. At best."
"Yeah, your demeanor would kill even the most patient living being."
Sharon shook her head, her look full of distaste, "I'm only here on your floor of this very public building to ensure that your chief actually showed up for her final interview with the Mayor, you see, no nefarious intentions. So, please point out to me where I went wrong? Because I have obviously managed to stub your toes in the process, somehow."
Andy took a big breath, not sure what he wanted to tell her.
Sharon smiled, and then took the opportunity to talk again, "It's simple, lieutenant. If you avoid blocking my path and if you avoid throwing yourself in my face at every opportunity, why, then we would be able to actually exist in the same work-space. Hmm, how hard can it be to ignore me? Really?"
"You bumped into me," Andy retorted, "and the many times I've tried to ignore you, you have managed to deliberately plant yourself in front of me so I would have no option but to react to your presence. Every time I turn a corner, there you are. You might as well just punch my face in."
Sharon made a little show out of appearing contrite, "Oh I do apologize. It is obviously my fault, I'm so sorry."
"So, you've gotten laid recently?" Andy smirked.
Her eyes narrowed.
"Because, sweetheart, you seem a little uptight," he ended it with a raised eyebrow.
Sharon laughed, "Following that logic, your dick must be collecting dust, hmm."
"Oh get lost," Andy retorted.
"I am trying, lieutenant, but you are deterring me," she took a threatening step in his direction, her finger in his face, "Why are you antagonizing me? When are you going to leave me alone?"
"I could ask you the very same," Andy sprouted, angry.
Sharon took another step towards him, "You have yet to even comprehend anything, have you?"
"Comprehend what?"
"Comprehend your actions, your temper? Anything really. I'm tired of you running around fueled by your feelings without the smallest consideration for others."
"I find it hard to consider your feelings when you blatantly disregard mine."
"What - are you a five year-old?"
"Another insult, delightful."
"Andy," she said his name in a resigned breath, "will you please just stop feeling injured for a moment. Put your ego aside and think for a moment," she paused and then continued when she had his attention, "Are we going to behave like this for the next ten years to come?"
"You wanted distance," he replied sourly.
"I know," she sighed, "But how about polite distance, hmm? How about treating me like a peripheral colleague and not a despised enemy?"
"Peripheral colleague?"
"Or something to that effect. Pretend you don't know me, hmm."
Andy sighed and then with a pout, "Is there anything else your royal highness wants?"
Her eyes narrowed, "If you haven't figured it out by now, there's no sense in telling you what I want."
"See, this is another example of why this whole thing is not only my fault. This whole," he pointed between them, "passive-aggressive thing we have going, it's a two-way street, okay. I'm not the only one being difficult."
Sharon shrugged, and he wasn't sure whether she agreed or not, "Still, don't you think it will be better to bury the hatchet, so to speak."
Andy shrugged and then sardonically answered, "Sure."
"Great," she said, her tone mocking.
Andy stared at her, not sure how to pretend he did not know her.
"Just let it go," Sharon told him, her eyes on him for another moment, clear in their message, and then she turned around and left.
…
/EXECUTIVE ORDER/
"Pizza, Captain?" Andrew Flynn slung out in a somewhat jovial tone when Sharon Raydor stalked into his squad room with a perturbed expression that tethered on the brink of aggravation. Andy watched the small spin she turned around with, flabbergasted for a short second at his sudden voice and upbeat tone before she zeroed in on his location with a raised eyebrow and a momentarily pursed mouth that quickly flattened into combat-readiness.
Had it been any other day – heck, had she shown up an hour later – Andy would have immediately geared up in an equal mode but by some luck of the draw her presence did not feel the slightest bit annoying. It was a strange compelling mood that struck him instead, and he figured there was a time for resentment and then there was a time for temporary truce; it was just one of those days where anger and spite felt misplaced and without any warrant.
Andy would rather avoid a confrontation altogether.
So, trying to keep a cease-fire going, Andy kept his smile. He leaned a bit back in his chair, casually observing Sharon approaching him as he reclined with his feet up on his desk, trying his best to appear nonchalant and polite.
Sharon changed expression midway, a scowl replaced by uncertainty about his sudden shift in demeanor – not that he could blame her. He had after all been nothing but volatile whenever they had crossed paths.
"It's got bell peppers and a mountain of cheese, and even jalapenos," Andy hummed, "Your favorites, as I recall."
It was a peace offering, of sorts – as elaborate as a peace offering could be when she dropped into his squad room without further notice.
Sharon came to a stand a meter from him, a prolonged moment where she stood silent as she eyed him with an expression of suspicion and confusion. Then it was obscured by an aloof grimace, her hand on her hip when she answered him in a drawl, "When it pertains to pizza I don't have favorites, lieutenant. I think you must be confusing me with someone else."
Andy raised one eyebrow back at her, silently applauding her for not batting an eye. Well, two could play that game.
"I know for a fact that you like bell peppers and jalapenos – and for Christ's sake who doesn't like melted cheese?"
She made a funny grimace, her nose twitching.
Andy gave an exaggerated shrug, "Yeah, yeah, I know – you prefer salads and falafel. Sorry, honey – it was pizza or nothing."
Her lips flattened for a second, ire in her eyes that looked dangerous till the look was doused by control. She took another step forwards, casually leaning against the desk opposite his. She raised one dainty eyebrow in greeting, "I will forego the pizza, thank you, lieutenant Flynn."
Andy waggled his eyebrows, "You absolutely sure?"
"Dead sure," Sharon replied and for a short moment even her voice sounded somewhat serene and without animosity in it.
"Hey, it's your loss," Andy chuckled.
Sharon narrowed her eyes slightly, "I think I shall survive." Sharon rolled her eyes before she spoke again, her arms crossed in an annoyed fashion as she regarded him. She obviously wanted something. "The only thing I need, lieutenant Flynn, is your statement about what happened earlier today in the parking garage when your chief shot Kevin Mason in the head."
Now she sounded sort of snippy. Andy ignored her tone and instead he took a large slice of pizza from the box, cheese hanging precariously from his mouth when he bit into the slice. He started chewing and ended up slurping the strings of melted cheese like noodles with a loud voice that made Sharon visibly cringe.
Under normal circumstances she would have told him he was disgusting with a laugh; now however she simply screwed her face up in consternation and angled her chin in what was a haughty slant.
Andy fixed her with a wide grin in between his vigorous chewing, "You sure you don't want a piece, Captain? You look like you could need a little grease."
"And you look like you could need a course in manners," she retorted back as she shook her head, her lips trembling with a repressed smile. She hid it well but Andy knew the small tell-tale signs; she was semi amused.
Andy shrugged, "My manners don't bother me."
One side of her mouth curled, "You don't say."
"So, what can I do for you?" Andy asked as he picked off a piece of bell pepper with his index finger and thumb, deliberately taking his time pretending to look at the vegetable when in reality he was trying to disguise the fact that he was occupied by the hemline of her skirt and how it framed her figure remarkably well.
When he looked up her eyes were narrowed and her mouth pursed.
"As I said, I only need your statement. Nothing more and nothing less."
Andy gave her a placating shrug before he paused to take another bite of pizza, and then with his mouth full of food, "Well, what do you want to know?"
Sharon looked to the ceiling for a short second, impatience painting her features more sharp. She let out an exasperated sigh before she answered him, "I simply came to enquire why it is taking you so long to write up a report when everyone else involved in the incident have already signed and delivered theirs. Your after-action report, however, is mysteriously in absentia?"
"I haven't begun it yet, that's why," Andy replied with an awkward smile, dusting pizza crumbs off his pants with a less than patient hand motion, perturbed that he had apparently stained the cloth with some kind of oily substance – well that would teach him to eat without a plate.
Sharon gave him a scrutinized look and judging from the furrowed line on her brow she found his actions deplorable in general.
"It's already been seven hours, lieutenant," her tone sounded reproachful, "Are you waiting for some immaculate event to signal you begin?"
"Yeah," Andy drawled as he made sure to give her back an insolent smirk, "I was waiting for you to come down here and nag me," he paused to let his smile broaden cheekily, "And sure as rain here you are."
Sharon merely made a face at him, lips twisting into some form of disdain.
Andy munched down the rest of the pizza slice in his hand and then once again spoke with food in his mouth, "To my defense it's not seven hours. It's six hours and," he made a show out of looking at his wrist watch and then quirked an eyebrow at her "and forty-eight minutes to be precise."
Sharon's lips twitched reminiscent of amusement but instead of a smile she once again ended up compressing her lips into a firm line. She crossed her arms more tightly, emphasis on exuding an aloof detachment to him, "Is there a particular reason why you have yet to write it up?"
"Do you want an alphabetical list of reasons?" Andy retorted flippantly.
"Why, would you?" she replied back in equal measures of sarcasm.
"Hmm, let's see. A for the goddamn anarchy that reigned at the funeral even after we had the situation under control. It took me forever to get back to the building. B for you know all the bullshit that went down when we finally made it back here and the new chief was announced. C for -"
"I get the picture," Sharon interrupted him with a curt tone.
Andy grimaced, "So, where do you stand on Delk?"
"I have nothing against Tommy Delk," she answered cryptically.
"But?" Andy prodded.
She merely shook her head and refrained from answering, another vague expression that was hard to decipher.
Andy sighed, "Well, there was a lot to do after the idiot tried to blow us all up with nerve gas – so really, I haven't had a lot of time to do your report until now," Andy paused and then with a look at the pizza box on his desk, he gave her a cheeky smile, "That and I was goddamn hungry. I couldn't very well write anything if I fainted face-first to the floor, now could I?"
Sharon eyed the pizza box on his desk, a disdainful look accompanied by a small disgraceful hum that sounded more like a snort.
"Hell, I would have written it up immediately but you know how everything becomes chaos when dealing with lunatics and their goddamn grand delusions about killing off innocent people," Andy told her, his voice slightly brusque, "It took me forever to just get back here – and by then I had a ton of other things to do."
"So, what you are saying is that typing in an after-action report is not high on your list of priorities?" she sounded annoyed.
Andy pursed his mouth, "You've got a 72 hour deadline, haven't you?"
She snorted, "So, you're intentionally pushing my time limit? Is that it, lieutenant?"
Andy made an apologetic gesture, palms open, "Nah, I simply forgot, Sharon, okay. No heinous intents or anything."
Sharon gave him a strange glance, somewhat soft compared to every other look they had been exchanging lately, "Then," she drew out the word, "are you going to start your report now?"
Andy gave a nod towards his computer and the screen where he had written two sentences to his official after-action report.
Sharon grimaced when she saw the computer screen and the few words. Her tone was long-suffering, "You are obviously planning on an all-nighter, I see."
"Got nothing else to do," Andy replied, his mouth turning to a smile because for the life of him he couldn't afford hostility right now.
"Will you be more cooperative and more efficient if I were to share your atrocious pizza with you?" Sharon lifted an eyebrow, her offer delivered with a vague sort of smile. It was a smile nonetheless.
"Sure, c'mon sit down and relax," Andy pointed at a chair next to his desk and the pizza box, "It's not every day I get to celebrate not being killed by damn nerve gas, right."
Sharon sat down with a narrowed look and crossed arms, alternating between eying the pizza box with distrust and giving him a look that clearly said he was not supposed to joke about what had almost happened today in that parking garage.
Andy opened the box for her and gave her another smile, "C'mon, just grab a slice and I promise I will have your report done in no time at all."
Sharon quirked an eyebrow, "I doubt that very much seeing no time at all would be rather implausible altogether, hmm." Her smile was miniscule but pleased. Andy shook his head at her joke.
She reached out and carefully took a slice of pizza, nibbling cautiously while she regarded him with a hidden look.
"So," Andy began as he turned in the direction of his computer, cleaning his fingers on a napkin before he tapped out the next sentence on his report, "despite our differences and everything, I'll have to concede I'm mighty glad to see you today."
Sharon made a strange hum as she chewed.
"Honest to god," Andy told her sincerely as he took her hum for being disagreeing in its timbre.
"You've had a near-death experience and now you feel up for a pleasant conversation, is that it?" Judging from her tone she found it an insult of some kind.
Andy smiled instead of rolling his eyes, "Nah, I simply thought you could use a little food. You look dead on your feet, Captain."
Her lips twitched into another faint smile.
Andy smiled back at her, for once relieved that neither of them had flown into a rage yet. So far, so good he thought.
"So, how are the kids," Andy asked her as he tapped away on the keyboard, keeping an eye on her from time to time.
"This is not a social call, Andy," she said in a dry tone, "so, really, you don't need to pretend you are interested."
Andy rolled his eyes, "Congratulation, it took you a mere five seconds to ruin a perfectly good conversation, huh. Must be a damn record."
She mumbled something in return that sounded scathing.
Andy turned his head and gave her a narrowed look, "What's that?"
"My kids are fine," she said instead, the tone curt and the smile forced.
"Great," he sighed and then turned his attention back to the computer screen, rolling his eyes once again.
Maybe they were not ready for a temporary truce after all.
"You need to approximate a timeline to your actions," Sharon commented after a minute, the voice grating.
"Geez, do you take me for a rookie?" Andy bit back at her.
She mumbled something back at him and this time he merely shook his head and then decided maybe it was better to simply ignore her.
"The section about - " Sharon started, once again butting in.
"Just eat your goddamn pizza and be quiet. I can do an idiot after-action report just fine," Andy huffed at her before she could finish her sentence.
She merely shrugged and then gave a semi smile, not too convincing to mean anything on a grander scale, "Sorry, sorry," she regarded him with an amused raised eyebrow, "I will let you finish it in peace then."
"Thanks."
"Just email me the report, lieutenant," Sharon ordered him as she stood up.
"Will do," Andy grumbled back, his mood plummeting when she strode out of his squad room.
…
/OLD MONEY/
"Lieutenant, wake up," a soft voice broke through the lull of sleep and woke Andrew Flynn up with a start, the hand that had been gently shaking his shoulder now trying to pacify his surprise with a tentative pat instead. With the feeling of still being half-asleep Andy opened his eyes and for a second he was confused as to why Sharon Raydor crouched before him with a strange expression – confused until he realized he was seated in front of her apartment, the front door at his back.
"Andy?" Sharon said his name to gain his attention, the tone half enquiring, half resigned when their finally eyes connected. She looked wary to him.
With a groan Andy yawned and then ran a hand through his hair, trying to gear himself into a more awake state instead of the grogginess that presently resided inside his head.
It came back to him in a rush; he had strolled back and forth in front of her door for at least a half hour before he had given up and instead simply collapsed in front of her door, his back against the wall, thinking he could wait her out. Apparently he had dozed off in the meantime.
Sharon looked puzzled, her hand still on his shoulder, "What are you doing here?"
Andy merely grunted in reply as he stumbled to his feet, wincing at the pain the motion elicited. Not only was his left arm injured but moving without looking like an utter idiot was goddamn near impossible, the sling making it awkward as well. The numerous stitches in his abdomen protested at every little movement, at every rushed intake of breath, and to his horror he sounded like a pathetic old man whenever he moved.
Sharon put a steadying hand on his uninjured arm, a soft look in her eyes for a brief second. She hummed quietly as she helped him to his feet.
She tsk'ed at him when they had managed to get him to his feet, "Why are you outside my apartment, on the floor no less, when you should be home – in bed? Hmm? And for god's sake, Andy, how long have you been here?"
Her voice was soft even if she directed a really glare at him accompanied by a little headshake, "Have you come to berate me further about my investigation into your conduct? If that's the case I regret to inform you I've definitively closed it and you are cleared of all charges."
Andy yawned again, still feeling somewhat disoriented, "What?" he shook his head at her accusation even if he could understand why she would think that, "No, of course not. That's not why I am here."
Sharon sighed and took a step away from him now that she was sure he could stand well on his own two feet. She unlocked her door and gave him a hesitant look over her shoulder when she opened the door, standing on the threshold with a narrowed look.
"I wanted to talk to you," Andy told her as he tried to keep emotion from his voice and yet it sounded rough but it was only on account of the way pain surged through his body, aching deeply. To put it simply, he was exhausted, too warm for comfort and to complicate matters now he had to deal with the wonkiness from having dozed off on a hard unrelenting floor in an awkward position, "Can I come in?" She looked hesitant so he added, "It won't take much time."
She took her time considering her answer, her head tilted. "I suppose," she ended up saying in an unconvincing manner.
"Don't worry, I did not come here to go off on you," Andy told her, his voice sincere, "I simply need to talk to you."
Her brows furrowed at his answer but Andy took the open door and inclined head as an invitation to come in. The door closed behind him and he left his shoes next to her black heels.
When he looked up he became transfixed by watching Sharon walk in bare feet into her living room, turning on lights and giving out a long sigh. The rigid set to her shoulders and the way she moved across the room was a dead give-away when it came Sharon being tired – or at least it was to Andy.
She hummed and then with a look over her shoulder as she stood at the entrance to the kitchen, "Is this a green tea kind of conversation? Or would you prefer coffee?" she paused but before Andy could answer she commented, "I don't have any cranberry juice."
Andy shrugged as he stood in the middle of her living room feeling awkward and out of place, "It's up to you," he said and he adjusted the sling for his arm from where it had crumbled slightly in his sleep, the sudden need to look away.
"It can hardly be up to me when I have no idea whatsoever about what you came here to discuss, now can it?" Sharon sniped back in a tone that had Andy looking up with a winch.
Andy exhaled in a long sigh and instead of biting back a sarcastic reply, he remained calm, "Do you have an aspirin or something? Cause I could go for some painkillers and a glass of water? - If you don't mind?"
Sharon moved away from the kitchen and approached him instead, her eyes on him with a scrutinized look that reminded him of an eagle. She came within arm's reach, eyes roaming from the gash on his eyebrow to the sling and his injured arm.
"You look dreadful," she stated as she viewed him though narrowed eyes with her head fractionally tilted.
Andy shrugged – no point in arguing there. He felt kinda dreadful.
Sharon moved closer and without hesitation she laid the back of her hand against his temple, "You're warm as well."
It sounded more like an accusation than a mere observation.
"How long were you out there, lieutenant?"
Andy shrugged again because he had no clue.
"You should be home, Andy, in bed. Not gallivanting around the city," Sharon managed to fuss even if she was apparently still harboring less than affectionate feelings towards him. She shook her head, her hand still on his temple, "Really, you are impossible."
"Yeah," Andy agreed because being in a bed sounded too good to him but some matters were more important than comfort, "Well, I am going straight home from here. I just needed to see you."
She sighed and then made a vague gesture at the couch, "Well, then sit down before you faint on me. I'll get you some water and painkillers, hmm."
Andy nodded and then with a deep exhalation he sat down on the couch before his legs gave out, leaning slightly back into the cushions of her couch feeling drained.
Sharon brought him a glass and two pills, watching him with another searching look as he drowned the pills along with the water. When he was done she sat down on the opposite end of the couch, her arms crossed defensively and a tentative expression that conveyed she was not entirely sure what he wanted.
"So?" she nudged him, her voice sounding raspy.
"Listen," Andy started, "I only came to apologize to you."
Her brow furrowed, "Well, it's never any fun to find out your conduct as an officer is being investigated by Internal Affairs seconds after being assaulted, so really, I understand how you felt."
Andy shook his head, "Not that," he paused and then with an awkward smile, "Although, I should apologize for that as well."
Her brow furrowed even more, "Oh, so you are apologizing for coming into work even if I told you to stay at home? For actively seeking out information about the case when I specifically told you to leave it alone?"
Andy inhaled deeply as he tried not to get impatient, "No. Just let me talk first, huh."
She shrugged.
Andy took another breath, "Nearly getting killed knocked some sense into me - "
Sharon interrupted with a snort.
Andy scoffed, "Well, not right away. Just shush, Sharon, and let me talk. For Christ's sake – I'm trying to mend everything!"
She let out a deep exhalation, "Sorry, go ahead."
"So, nearly getting knifed to death got me to thinking. I might not have shown it right away but it got to me. I really need to make amends with you. For so many things. Foremost I'm sorry about everything that happened months back and I'm sorry about my behavior since."
It might sound a bit rehearsed, Andy thought but heck he had fucking rehearsed it throughout the entire day and then through the long AA meeting he had just come from; he had needed to sort his thoughts out and put them into perspective.
"Oh," Sharon let out at his confession, her tone sounding unlike her.
Andy continued, the need to tell her everything like a rush inside him that was just waiting to pour out, "It just hit me, in the midst of feeling sorry for myself. You are always there for me, Sharon – and I'm never there for you. I always do these stupid things and you always end up forgiving me."
She looked on the verge of opening her mouth and saying something.
Andy shook his head, "Just let me continue before you interrupt."
She gave an acquiescing nod, the motion slow.
"I've been treating you like crap, you were right. I've been taking you for granted, frankly. And I'm so sorry about that."
Sharon avoided his eyes and instead she was focused on her lap, her hands clasped together in a tight grasp.
Andy could have kicked himself; god, he had been an idiot.
"So basically," Andy went on, because this was it and apologizing meant disclosing his heart and laying everything on the table and hell, he would gladly do it for her, "my idiotic actions had nothing to do with you and more to do with my insecurities. Heck, we both have a lot of baggage from our previous marriages and when I react to Jack's presence it has more to do with my own baggage than it have to with yours. Okay?"
Sharon looked up, a glistening film of tears when she blinked but thankfully she did not start crying. Still, it stung, knowing he was the reason for all of that hurt.
Andy rubbed his neck, pausing briefly to collect his thoughts again, "I'm sorry for freaking out that day when Jack came to visit – uninvited, I know. I'm sorry for my anger and for behaving like an asshole. I'm sorry that I always seem to be lashing out on you when I have a problem and for treating you badly."
She looked so surprised, wide eyes and still that film of water that threatened to break. He should have done this months ago but that was the thing with hindsight; and being too proud and caught up in anger to see straight.
Andy continued, "I'm so sorry for being childish and insecure. That's on me – it's my problem and hell, it's an old one. I never got the hang of a relationship, not really, so I'm shit at that. Back when I was married I was drinking heavily and screwed things up royally. I'm not drinking now and yet it's still some of the same things I have to fight with. I'm sorry for putting you in the middle of my mess. I know I'm vindictive, got a stupid hot-headed temper – and I'm working on it. Okay? I'm working on it. Truly."
She nodded, slowly. She was fiddling with her hands he noticed, a nervous tic of some sort, her eyes briefly on him before they skittered away again.
"Look, Sharon, I would like you back in my life – in whatever capacity you are willing to?"
She looked intensely at her hands.
"It's up to you. I just miss being your friend, Sharon."
When she looked up her lower lip quivered momentarily before she pressed it together, air leaving her nose in a forced exhalation.
Andy reached out a hand towards her, just shy of touching her knee, "Please don't cry."
She shook her head, "I'm not about to cry."
Andy couldn't help but smile at the comment and the way she said it, his mouth curving slightly of its own accord.
"I'm overwhelmed," she paused and her gaze was indecipherable and probing, "First off I did not expect you to show up tonight of all nights, and then actually apologize. I don't think I've ever heard you make such a heartfelt apology to anyone. I was resigned to fighting with you till we both retired, Andy – so, yes, I'm surprised."
"Yeah, surprised me too," Andy agreed with a nod and a soft, tentative smile, "Then I managed to get my head out of my ass where it's been stuck for too long," he paused and watched the small twitch of her mouth, her smile wan but existent. Andy smiled back at her, "and then it was remarkably simple."
Sharon made a strange noise in turn, turning more towards him with her torso. "I'm sorry too. I've been so - " she started, eyes imploringly on him.
Andy quickly interrupted her, "Please don't apologize – that's not why I came here. I've been a right idiot and you do not need to apologize."
She closed her mouth, her head tilted. "I've missed you."
"I've missed you like you have no idea," Andy breathed, every last knot of tension in his body leaving him feeling extremely light and giddy despite the bruises.
Sharon gave a small smile, somewhat shy and tentative, "I would like to move forward, Andy, I would – but I cannot forget everything that has happened. I can't go back to the way we were."
"I understand. I simply want a second chance; however you want it to be. Heck, if you want nothing to do with me, then I will leave you alone. Peacefully, I promise."
"No, no," she shook her head, "I would like being friends just. Lets' start there."
Andy nodded.
"Well," he got up from the couch, his aching body protesting but he gritted his teeth and pretended he wasn't about to fall face-first to the floor in exhaustion, "I'll be on my way then."
Sharon made another funny sound but she refrained from saying anything, following him to the door with a peculiar expression.
She surprised him when he turned around to say goodbye, her body suddenly nestled against his own in an embrace, her arms around him in a dead grip. The motion made the pain of his wounds flare but he only clenched his jaw taut and tried not to make a sound of protest because goddamn just being able to envelope her with his uninjured arm and enjoy the warmth of her body against his own was pure bliss and he wouldn't miss it for anything. A little pain was nothing in that regard.
Andy had no clue what friendship entailed when it came to being intimate but he figured she would be alright with him compressing her more firmly against him, tightening his arm around her, the scent of her so painfully familiar.
"I'm sorry," she said the voice muffled by his shirt, "you are not the only one who needs to apologize, okay, I'm sorry. I've been equally mean to you."
"No more than usual," Andy joked and sure enough it got the response he sought, a little laugh. Only whereas he had imagined she would laugh a bit more the sound turned to a half sob instead.
"Hey - ," he soothed but it was too late, the moment she clung even more to him and he knew there was no way to prevent the tears.
"I've missed you," she said again, this time with a strangled sob, "and you could have died and it's just too horrible to even think about."
"Hey," he said again, soft voice, his lips on the top of her head, "It's okay."
She made another sound and moved closer to him.
Andy couldn't help but grimace at the pain, the stitches and wounds in his side protesting at the tighter embrace.
Sharon immediately caught unto his predicament and took a hurried step back, "Am I hurting you?"
"No, no," he shook his head, the lie not very well disguised despite his efforts to pretend he was perfectly fine.
"Did you drive here?" she arched an eyebrow that told him if he said yes she would begin a lecture.
"Nah, took a cab. I was afraid I would tear all my stitches and to be honest I'm in no condition to drive anywhere."
She made a face and then after mulling it over, "You could stay on the couch but I'm not sure it's comfortable for you."
Andy shook his head, "It's alright. I didn't come here to impose my presence on you. I came to mend things – and I will grab a cab home."
She nodded, once again fiddling with her hands as she regarded him with a hidden expression.
"So, I'll see you," Andy said, the words sounding lame to him but somehow they made her smile in a way he had missed sorely.
"Not if I see you first," she replied.
Andy smiled back.
Maybe everything would be alright now.
…
/HIGH CRIMES/
"This is really not why I invited you," Andrew Flynn clarified as he watched Sharon Raydor cutting one small red onion and a spring onion into neat pieces, the sharp knife in her hand skillfully slicing in a rhythm that was not too slow and yet not as fast as he would have done it himself. That however, was his predicament. It was difficult to make an elaborate show out of preparing dinner when his left arm was still doggedly in the damned sling. Andy did not much fancy trying his luck with just one arm and ending up making a fool out of himself.
"I mean, I appreciate the free labor in my kitchen," Andy chuckled nervously as he scratched his neck, "but heck, I would have managed to dish something up. I mean, risotto is possible without the onion. I wouldn't have minded there being no onions."
Damn.
He was rambling like an idiot of all things.
"But I do appreciate your, erm," he paused, shaking his head at himself. He had been about to say onion-cutting which really was a lame thing to say. He cleared his throat, "Well, I mean, err," he paused again, not sure how to finish or even start the sentence.
Sharon gave him a coy look over her shoulder, the motion of cutting momentarily coming to a halt as she regarded him. Her lips twitched with humor of some kind, "So, you did not invite me for the sole purpose of cutting your food out for you? Is that what you are trying to tell me?"
Andy gave back a coy smile, his hand running through his hair in a smooth motion, "Well, it was not the sole purpose, no."
"Then it was competitive to some other nefarious purpose for inviting me to dinner? – is that what you are saying?"
Her mouth curved in a cheeky smile and Andy felt fortunate to be able to linger in easy banter with her like this.
Andy shrugged, palms out for emphasis, "Can you blame me?"
She shook her head, a lazy smile this time, "Yes, I can."
Andy feigned a pout, "I have been living on take-away. Frankly, you are doing me a big favor."
Sharon quirked an eyebrow, "You don't say," she shook her head, amused at his expense, " – every single time I've seen you in the last week, lieutenant, you've been munching on pizza or fries or whatever greasy contraption you conveniently call food. I wouldn't be surprised to find your phone contacts consist entirely of fast food places."
Andy pursed his mouth even more and put his right hand on his hip, "Yeah, I'm a goddamn cripple alright. Don't feel sorry for me or anything."
She smiled even wider, apparently bemused by his expression.
Andy couldn't keep up the façade for long and ended up with a goofy grin instead.
Sharon tilted her head and then made a deliberate hand gesture towards the fresh vegetables and parmesan cheese on his kitchen table that he had been in the middle of offloading from the grocery bag, "Shouldn't you be preparing the sun dried tomatoes? I distinctly remember you saying you would be helpful even if you were practically a one-armed sourpuss."
Andy shook his head and took a mock-intimidating step towards his kitchen counter and Sharon, trying his best to not break out in laughter as he narrowed his eyes, "I think your memory has added a few explicit choice words then because I am pretty damn sure I never called myself a sourpuss."
She gave a small shrug, one corner of her mouth more upturned than the other.
"I would never call myself a sourpuss," Andy said, his own mouth displayed in a smile as well, "An idiot perhaps, a grumpy fool yeah. But definitely not a sourpuss."
Sharon pointed the knife at him as he took another step towards her, "Well, lieutenant, I suggest you get your sun dried tomatoes in order, hmm," she smiled once again, this time a more gentle approach to the way her eyes crinkled.
"Yes, Ma'am," Andy replied briskly as he stood at attention but he still lingered close to her, his eyes on the exposed skin of her throat now that she had draped her hair over one shoulder. In another reality he would have stood behind her and been able to lean down and plant a kiss on that exposed patch of pale skin.
Sharon rolled her eyes, none the wiser about his thoughts, "Chop, chop, Mister – and don't forget to blanch the asparagus."
Andy shook his head and then turned around, heading to the kitchen table with a grin that seemed to curl more and more with warmth. "Aye, aye, Ma'am," he threw over his shoulder, "Anything else you want me to do, hmm?"
He sneaked a look over his shoulder and watched as Sharon had turned her attention back to the cutting board.
"Now that you mention it," Sharon said and Andy could hear the wicked smile in her voice, "could you put the pot on the stove and put a bit of oil in it."
"Sure."
"And perhaps grate the parmesan."
"Yeah."
"Do my tax returns?"
Andy laughed, "Shit, you don't want me doing that. Unless you want it done wrong?"
Sharon giggled, another look over her shoulder, "Oh honey, I am fully aware of your awful skills at doing tax returns."
Andy smiled back at her, his face becoming warm. He was certain he was red as a tomato but hell it felt like everything was back to normal and her calling him anything but lieutenant or a vehement 'Andy', why that was pure bliss.
It had been like a goddamn puzzle trying to figure out the boundaries of their newly founded friendship; it should be easy seeing he had been friends with her for what sometimes felt like eons and yet this time around something felt new and difficult.
There was a hesitance to his actions and thoughts.
Was it alright for him to invite her over to dinner like he usually did?
Somehow he had a niggling feeling that it was too soon to simply show up unannounced at her place, arms laden with groceries and expecting their relationship to have returned to normalcy. The rules had changed somewhat but whereas he had known them with his eyes closed before everything had gone to hell, now he was not sure.
In a fit of feeling slightly lonely and hungry for something that did not necessarily entail fast dialing whatever fast food number he had in his contacts, he had politely called and invited her over, two days in advance nonetheless.
Sharon had sounded like herself over the phone and that had eased his anxiety some. Not enough to stop him from spending the good part of a day trying to come up with something that was easy to make and would not feel out of place. Then he had spent the good part of his evening cleaning out his place till it was too spotless and he had been sure she would comment on it.
Shit, he felt as nervous as a goddamn kid out on his first date; which was downright ridiculous considering everything they had been through.
In the end Andy had decided risotto was the magic dish, not too elaborate and not too intimate, and baring Sharon cutting out the onion for him then it really was just a lot of stirring and Andy could do that just fine with one arm. Additionally, he knew she loved it when he made risotto.
It shouldn't feel intimate but somehow he had neglected to put the whole essence of cooking food into that equation, for his kitchen was not that big and he had already bumped into her a couple of times and every time he looked up she was in close view.
He really only wanted to touch her.
Tuck a strand of hair behind her ear.
Kiss her cheek.
Let his hand rest on the curve of her waist.
Sharon came to the stove and delivered the neatly onion pieces to a pot with sizzling oil, her smile sincere and unaware about the direction and content of his thoughts. She was close and he caught a waft of her scent, that distinct fragrance that he associated with only her. It felt as much a comfort as it felt alluring.
She looked up at the exact same time he found himself in a trance and she caught him staring at her, and immediately a shy somewhat aloof expression crossed her features and she made an awkward show out of looking away and quickly taking a step back in a dance that reminded him more of a weird animal than anything else.
Andy quickly looked away and pretended to be staring at the pot instead and the onions that now sizzled and sputtered. It was hard to disguise the way heat warmed up his neck and face though.
Shaking his head he poured the rice into the pot, stirred and then put in the dried tomatoes he had cut into small bits with a scissor and had soaked in hot water all the while trying to look over his shoulder without alarming Sharon.
She was rinsing the cutting board now, her back to him.
When he detected the small hum from her, the tones light, he couldn't' help but smile and feel a bit relieved.
At the very least she felt at ease enough to hum in his company.
Post further bumping and trying not to be caught staring at each, Andy let out a sigh of relief when they could finally sit down at his small table, place mats out and the table set.
His knee bumped into hers under the table.
Sharon pretended nothing happened and Andy made himself busy by dishing out the risotto onto their plates, his eyes rigidly on the table and his own hands.
When he looked up however, Sharon simply smiled at him, her eyes full of warmth. The smile widened when she took her plate and her eyes lighted even more up when she tasted it, the hum she emitted without filter and simply satisfied.
"This is delicious," she added with another wide smile.
Andy smiled back, "I told you a thousand times risotto is easy."
"I like it more when you make it," she confessed, her lips twitching into a self-aware somewhat shy curve.
Andy grinned, "Yeah?"
"Yeah," she imitated him, the tone lower than usual and her eyes doing a little eye roll.
They continued to make small talk in between eating and he found his attention drawn naturally to her, glued to her face everytime he looked up and it was hard not to break out into a wide beam at the precious sight of her seated across from him.
"So," Sharon pointed her spoon at him for a short moment before she plunged it into what remained of the risotto on her plate. She was already half-way done, apparently slightly hungrier than him.
"I heard something about Major Crimes partaking in an undercover op tomorrow?"
Andy nodded, "Yeah, thanks to our delightful new chief. Who like every new chief before him needs to make an example. The idiot decided to take a case from robbery/homicide and throw it onto our laps instead," Andy paused, shaking his head, "It's nothing new, happens every single time. Remember when the old chief ascended to his throne?"
Sharon nodded, ""How could I not? It was a disaster, left and right."
Andy shook his head and then in a wry tone, "You made Captain. You made something out of that disaster."
"Naturally," she replied, the way her mouth changed between a repressed line and a crescent telling him she was seconds away from displaying a full on smile.
Andy shook his head at her and then said, "So yeah, we've got an undercover op tomorrow. Our marijuana dispensary robbers have gone beyond simple robbery and added murder to their arrest sheet. We caught the idiots casing out a potential dispensary on tape and if everything goes according to plan and their idiot M.O. then we're going to catch the little creeps at it tomorrow."
Sharon hummed, her mouth around her spoon and for a split second Andy was transfixed by her lips. He mentally shook his head and told himself to get a grip.
"Are you going to be undercover or supervising from a distance?" the question was too casual and she quickly averted her gaze to her food, playing around with an asparagus before she looked up again.
"I'm not completely handicapped, you know," Andy huffed out with an amused tone, "but honestly, I might as well be in our surveillance van because I will be practically the same distance away as the van. So it's not a big deal."
Her eyes briefly went to his injured arm, "No big deal," she repeated, the tone not sounding too relived.
"I'm just going to be standing at a generic truck offloading its generic stock. I will be well out of the way. Why, any idiot can do it."
Her eyebrow rose, "So, you're qualified."
Andy laughed, "Oh, maybe over-qualified, wouldn't you say?"
Sharon compressed her mouth and her eyes crinkled as she tried to dampen her response; he caught the little noise reminiscent of laughter that escaped though.
The rest of the meal commenced in relatively peace and after a cup of tea, Sharon was on her way out. Andy watched her put on her heels, one hand out for balance on his hallway wall and he alternated between trying to come up with a friendly reason for touching her and then berating himself for the notion.
Sharon surprised him when she strode up close to him, her eyes on him with an intense look, "You take care tomorrow," she told him in a soft voice as she patted his arm, the words more like an order.
Andy gave her an acquiescing nod, unable to open his mouth at her close proximity and the way she was still touching his arm.
"Because the last thing I need to do tomorrow is to spend my time opening up yet another OIS in your name," she hummed and she tilted her head up to look him in the eye, "so, no reckless foolishness by you, lieutenant. Easy, does it."
Andy grinned, "I won't shoot first then."
She shook her head, "That's not what I meant. I have no desire to visit you in the hospital either."
"Don't worry, Captain, I'll take good care."
She smiled and something about that smile made him bold because he quickly swept in and gave her a brief peck on her cheek, the notion that if she touched him first then surely she would fine with a simple friendly kiss on the cheek.
She appeared unfazed by his action, if anything she looked pleased about it.
…
=)
